Molding



fMay 26 1942.

w. J. HALL MOLDING Filed Jan. 20, 1938 INVENTOR .7. Hall,-

A TTORNE Y5.

Patented May 26, 1942 MOLDING William J. Hall, Detroit, Mich,

assig'nor to 'Herron-Zimmers Moulding Company, Detroit,

. Mich, a

corporation of Illinois Application January 20, 1938, Serial No. 185,811 .4 Claims. (Cl. 2'0''74) The invention relates generally to molding and it has particular relation to molding for use on automobiles for ornamental purposes.

Generally, also, theinvention constitutes an improvement over that embodied in the applicating for patent of Orley J. Crowe, Serial No. 185,833 filed January 20, 1938; In the latter application for patent, molding is disclosed which comprises an inner base strip having prongs struck therefrom for fastening the molding in place, and an outer ornamental cover that is held on the inner strip.

One object of the present invention is to provide improvements in the molding which enable obtaining stronger or stiffer prongs while still permitting the use of an inner base strip of relatively malleable material.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved molding having prongs so constructed and designed that highly efiicient methods of manufacturing the molding in large volume may be employed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a highly efficient method of producing the inner or base strip and striking the prongs therefrom.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved molding having an inner base strip of relatively heavy or thick stock while still having prongs struck therefrom provided with thin and pointed ends. Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for holding the ornamental cover and the inner base strip against relative longitudinal movement once they are assembled.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following specification, the drawing to which it relates, and from the claims hereinafter set forth.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates the inner side of an automobile door having molding applied thereto according to one form of the invention; I

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view on a larger scale taken substantially along the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary View illustrating the molding as assembled prior to applying it to the door;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 66 of Fig. 5;

the molding, vided with spaced openings I5 adapted to receive Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view illustrating the ornamental cover prior to assembling it with the inner base strip;

Fig. 8 is a similar fragmentary View of the inner base strip prior to its assembly with the cover;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the manner in which the prongs are struck from the inner base strip;

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line Iii-4t ,of Fig. 9.; and

Fig. 11 is a side view, somewhat on the order of Fig. 10, showing the manner in which a plurality of. the prongs are struck from the base strip simultaneously.

Referring to Figure 1, an indicated at l0 and molding applied to the inner side of the door is indicated at H. As best shown by Figures 2 and 3, the inner side of the door ordinarily is provided with a cover that comprises a fibre board I2 and an outer covering of fabric l3, and for the purpose of applying the fibre board and fabric are proautomobile door is fastening means on the molding. The molding comprises an inner base strip l6 having upwardly and inwardly turned edge flanges I 1 and an outer cover l8 having inwardly turned edges l9 that engage under the edges of the inner strip. In a construction of this character, the inner strip may be manufactured from less expensive metal owing to the fact that it is concealed by the outer cover and for this purpose cold rolled steel has been found very satisfactory, as it is malleable and inexpensive. On the other hand, the cover, due to thefact that it is exposed and .provides the ornamentation, is manufactured from material more suited for the purpose, such as stainless steel. It is apparent that by using an inner base strip for fastening purposes and an outer strip for ornamental purposes, the latter may be constructed of thin steel stock compared tothe inner strip. Thus, less ofthe more expensive stainless steel in the particular case stated is required.

The shape of the cover 18 may be varied according to the ornamentation desired and in'the construction illustrated, it is substantially semicircular in cross section. It will be noted that the flanges IT on the inner strip are shaped substantially accordance with the shape of. the

prong length, but cold worked at least to the extent of the mof the prong after cutting as difficult asthe metal sired, that is, to form the flanges l1, and thereafter the strip passes between rollers which form strip and a.

a groove 2| in the lower side of the shallow but wider recess 22 in the upper sideof longitudinal telescopic it to the shape dereally not noticeable. It I upset portion 34 will be provided H on strip W are slightly verging side edges of the point portion, results in a sharp point.

At the time the prongs are upset by a tool for this purpose which moves downwardly with the punches, so as to form wider spots 34. Then when the strip and cover are telescopically assembled,.the cover, in passing over the upset portion 34 on the inner strip, deflects somewhat and in a sense locks around the upset portion,

although the outward deflection of the cover is may be noted that the at one end of the strip l6, so that the little greater force rethe strip. This is important for several reasons. I

In the first place, the

steel is strain hardened by cold working in the central regions from (mired in moving the cover over the strip will not benecessary until the parts are practically assembled, that not .until after most. of the telescopic movement has occurred. In connecwhich, ascwill presently be seen, the prongs are to be struck out. Again, formation of the groove and recess thins the metal, and this enables'formation of a thin and finer point on the prongs.

Referring to Figures 9, 10, and .11, the strip l6, after it has passed between the rollers which form the groove 2i and-recess 22,passes under a plurality of punches, such as indicated at 25, adapted to strike out the prongs, indicated at 26, from the base portion of thestrip. Each of these punches has its bottom edge tapered, as indicated at 21, so that the point of the prong will be struck first from the strip l6. Each prong also hasside faces which may be approximately parallel for a substantial distance toward the front edge, and then converging to a line, indicated at 28. The rear end of the punch is rounded, as indicated at 29, so that the struck out portion finally willbe bent away from the strip Hi to provide the prong.

During its passage under the punches, the strip I6 is supported by a member 30 having a slot 3| which is slightly wider than the prong at its widest part and from this it will be seen that the prongs will be struck out and bent into the slot. Short-flanges 32 prevent the strip from moving upwardlywith the punches when the punches are moved upwardly after the prongs are struck out. The slot 3| continues to the'discharge-end of-the'member 3i) and consequently, after the punches are raised; the stripfmay be moved linearly without raising it, to place the next part of the strip under the punches. Thus, only'a linear movement of the strip I6 is required and this greatly simplifies the method of manufacture and apparatus required. 7 Thewidth of the prong through the greater part of its length is greater than the width of recess 22 and accordingly the side cutting edges of the punch through such greater part'of the through metal that is not cessed portion. While theportion of the prong near the point is much harder, and therefore harder to cut, this is cut first and due to the still largely solid character of the strip, it is found that the point is struck clearly without undesirable bending or irregularity even though the member 30 does not supportthe strip at the Completion of the cutting through the harder center of the latter.

point portion is not, softer and moreover it is more directly supported by member 30. H w I I Q It will be notedthat the groove 2| and recess 22 reduce the thickness of the point portion of the prong and this in conjunction with the conthat the inner strip may tion with the length of the strip IE, it may be inneristrip, it is cut into lengths, as may be desired, and the upset portions 34 will correspond in position and number to the length of the strips.

After telescopicallyassembling the parts, or bysnapping on the outer cover, as may bethe case, themolding may be applied by pressing the prongs through the openings IS in the door cover, and after this, the prongs may be bent over,-a's'shown in Figure 3. This locks'the'molding tightly in place.

While it has been more particularly indicated he of steel, it will be recognized that, other materials vmight be used depending on use of the molding. In many materials, the groove and. recess will strengthen the prong portions and in all cases they will effect a sharper point. 'Difierent' cover strips may be used instead of the cover I! as indicated in the application forpatent ofOrley J .Crowe to which attention haspreviously been directed.

The invention provides a highly eflicient construction which can be manufactured inexpensively. Formation of the prongs is effected very simply by means of the punches, and it'is' only necessary tointerrupt the movement of theinner strip sufficiently to allow the punches to operate in order to form the prongs. It is not necessary to lift the strip. after the. prongs are-formed; so

as to free such prongs from lower die members,

as in the particular or present instance the lower die member is only a support having a slot of continuous character that is wide" enough to allow the prongs to move along: through it; It may be added that the stripmay be cut intosuitable lengths and that suitable. means maybe providedso .that on each downward movement of the punches, the strip may be cut linearly ahead of the prongs being struck out. Assembly of the parts after their fabricationand application of the molding: manifestly require only simple operations. i

Although only one form of the invention has beenjillustrated and described in detail, it will be apparent .to those skilled in the art thatvarious modifications may be made without departingfromthe scope of the appended claims.

7 of strain hardened character, and prongs struck out'frornthe strip intermediate its side-edges and pro ecting from one side thereof, witheach prong having a strain hardened'portion constituting a continuation of that in the body'of the formed, the flanges strip, each of the prongs beginning with its end connected to the strip, having its side edges extended first along side edges of the strain hardened portion and then converging across the strain hardened portion to substantially a point.

2. Molding comprising an elongated strip of relatively heavy, malleable metal having a longitudinally extending portion of strain hardened character, prongs struck out from the strain hardened portion of the strip and disposed in longitudinally spaced relation and projecting from one side of the strip, each prong being so struck out and bent from the strip that the strain hardened portion continues along the strip and then from the bent ends of the prongs to the free ends thereof with such strain hardened portion bent transversely at the junction Where the prong is bent away from the strip, and a cover for that side of the strip opposite the prongs and engaging the side edge portions of the strip.

3. Molding comprising an elongated strip of relatively heavy, malleable metal having a longitudinally extending grooved portion of strain hardened character, prongs struck out from such portion and disposed in longitudinally spaced relation and projecting from one side of the strip, each prong being so struck out and bent from the strip that the groove and strain hardened portion continues along the strip and then from the bent ends of the prongs to the free ends thereof with such grooved strain hardened portion bent transversely at the junction Where the prong is bent away from the strip, and a cover for that side of the strip opposite the prongs and engaging the side edge portions of the strip.

4. Molding comprising an inner elongated strip of steel substantially fiat between its side edges and having a longitudinally extending groove pressed into it substantially midway between its side edges and extending substantially throughout the length of the strip, prongs struck out from the grooved portion of the strip and disposed in longitudinally spaced relation and projecting from one side of the strip, each prong being so struck from the strip that the grooved portion continues from one end of the prong to the other with such grooved portion being bent transversely at the junction where the prong is bent away from the strip, and a cover for that side of the strip opposite the prongs and engaging under the side edges of the strip.

WILLIAM J. HALL. 

